St George Illawarra captain Cameron McInnes will not play for the Dragons again after suffering a season-ending knee injury in training on Friday.
McInnes, who is heading to Cronulla on a four-year deal from 2022, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the session and will have to undergo reconstructive surgery.
The news comes less than two weeks after the Dragons confirmed McInnes was heading to the Sharks with the club not offering him a contract beyond the end of this year.
In a brief statement, the Dragons said McInnes would undergo follow up consultations to establish the next steps in his recovery.
With an expected timeline of up to nine months on the sidelines, it means the hooker's 130-game career with the Red V is at an end.
McInnes's absence is almost certain to increase new Dragons coach Anthony Griffin's desire to lure Brisbane No.9 Andrew McCullough to the club.
The Dragons have reportedly offered McCullough a multi-year deal with the Broncos prepared to grant the 31-year-old an immediate release to free up salary cap space at Red Hill.
